By Anonymous Activist 101 (a sixth-form student)
…And what is it about Britain’s most liberal school that makes it a magnet for such media attention?
There are many clichés and labels associated with Bedales, the £30,000-a-year boarding school, which leave us intrigued by it. Often praised for its liberal ethos, the Hampshire school attracts much attention for its attitudes towards freedom and independent learning. Our fascination with this experimental school has lead to it becoming the most famous co-ed school in Britain, attracting media attention every time it takes disciplinary action.
It is not unusual for a school to expel students for misbehaviour or violation of their rules, so why is it that every time Bedales doesn’t allow students to return it is branded as ‘another scandal’?
It is inevitable that a school with notable alumni such as Daniel Day-Lewis, Kirstie Allsopp and Viscount Linley would attract some media attention, but to actually call every instance of expulsion scandalous is completely ridiculous. It’s understandable that there would be a reaction to underage sexual misconduct but the sensationalism used in the recent allegations was verging on disgusting.
Yes, there was a disciplinary incident involving three students, but this was an isolated incident, because, if there had been others, we can be assured that we’d have heard about them. Despite these recent allegations, I remain assured that there genuinely is no better school to educate your children.
The open-minded atmosphere of the school allows for students to develop into individual free-thinking adults with outstanding critical analysis skills. The school champions individuality and nonconformist behaviour allowing students to reach their own potential. Schools today are too often criticised by universities for forcing their students into the same mould causing them to become indistinguishable in the crowd. Surely, if you can afford it, it’s the best solution that money can buy.
“I wish I’d had the opportunity to go there,” says an enthusiastic Sussex father, whose daughter has been at the school for the last few years. “The teaching staff are so dedicated and have the students interests at heart. It’s clear from my daughter and all her friends that the school has really found the best in them. You can see how each one is a different person with their own skills and beliefs, not to mention talents! They’re all great characters.”
Without a doubt, life is always exciting at this apotheosis of secondary education. The students’ timetables are packed with a spectacular array of extra-curricular actives ranging from film-making to horse- riding. The school further demonstrates its ethos in allowing students to run activities of their own - perhaps the most obscure of which is, “Harry Potter Appreciation Society,” which, it is believed, involves copious amounts of dressing up. In the way of academic societies, student involvement and participation is further encouraged in debating topics such as, philosophy, literature and mathematics. The entire student body embrace academia and the extra-curricular scholastic societies are attended completely by choice.
“There’s never a dull moment; you’ve always got something exciting to do,” says one current Bedalian student. And indeed this is true. The racing of coracles, small student built, rounded Celtic boats, certainly sounds exciting. As does the “All Night Bake”, which occurs to commemorate the popular weekly baking activity at the end of the school year, the most popular of their breads being the Mars bar loaf.
The subjects are quite hip too. Outdoor Work, a subject unique to Bedales, offers students the opportunity to construct a timber-framed barn, restore an old Land Rover and tend to the school’s sheep. The new, critically acclaimed, Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs) are the school’s alternative to GCSEs and are recognised by UCAS. BAC subjects include Art, Drama, Music, Philosophy, and Outdoor Work to name but a few. The BAC seems like the British public school system’s alternative to the Liberal Arts.
Despite being in vogue, the avant-garde school was actually founded in 1893 by progressive Victorian John Haden Badley, who felt that schools should be more like a family. He hardwired liberalism and compassion into the genetics structure of the school – traits which are still prominent today. Whilst seeming forever youthful, the school heavily relies on Badley’s founding principle of creating an alternative atmosphere to challenge the authoritarian regimes of other independent schools. It is this attitude that has led to the continued popularity of the school among parents including Mick Jagger and the creative of alumni, such as Johnny Flyn and Jamie Campbell Bower who both enjoyed use of the school guitar filled “Rock Studio”.
The liberal ethos even extends to the students dress taste, which is so casually quaffed. The ripped tights or jeans look almost strategic and their hair, often styled by the pillow, looks as if another student cut it on the boarding house after dark. But despite this, their 1980’s hi-tops and vintage print dresses seem amazingly stylish and every student looks astonishingly unique. Yes, they’ve created their own uniform, but it suits each and every one of them.
These students are broad minded and nonconformist but, for the most part, the freedom entrusted upon them has negated the need for rule breaking. It almost feels as if the school has subtly removed the need for major rebellion by allowing it to happen on a smaller scale. Clever ’eh?
“The teachers are there to help you and not tell you what to do,” says one young Bedalian boy who just completed his first year at the school. “[My career was influenced by] the infectious and inspirational enthusiasm of the teachers,” added an old Bedalian who now enjoys a career in academia, he continued, “I found the lack of formality and the egalitarian atmosphere provided a very enlightened atmosphere in which to develop as an individual. The Bedales way of life is able to nurture [and it] set me up to be confident and think independently.”
Creative inspiration has always varied the classes - each year the school has a resident poet who engages with the students inside and out of the classroom. All the speakers and visitors dine with the pupils, allowing their questions to be answered in an even more informal setting. The informal student-teacher relationships (students address teachers by their first names) create an idyllic situation for children to learn in. “[Bedales] is special because of the friendships and respect, and obviously the unique learning experiences.” says a girl about to enter her second year. “The teacher pupil relationship is so different, so special; I think it’s unique to this school and our teachers. It’s fantastic.” Continued a boy of the same age.
The laissez-faire leadership has lead to great productivity, with ten percent of this year’s graduates gaining offers from Oxbridge. The leadership works for most students, but should a severe disciplinary incident occur there are strong policies in place towards dealing with it. There is a one strike and you’re out system towards most of these incidences, including a ‘zero tolerance’ drugs policy.
“I’ve become more interesting; I’ve thrived here. It’s done a lot for my schooling as well - I’ve become much more independent.” Says a first year boy. He assures me that students who abuse the system or fail to produce the required work are frowned upon by the community and those that want to achieve are granted a platform on which to do so. The staggering array of plum jobs landed by ex-students is clear proof that talents are fostered at this up to £9,600 a term boarding school.
This level of success could not have been achieved if the students were miscreants and drop-outs. The full-size swimming pool, private farm and theatre are sure to foster the talents of all students, and I guess that’s what you pay for. Along with the ethos and liberalism, which you probably could not find else where in the world. It’s unique.
But I guess not every student is going to be suited to every school, and Amanda Craig was that student. She could’ve always left. Yet for some reason she didn’t, maybe she saw the potential for sensationalising her life for future income – a creativity that could have only been learnt at Bedales.
“I certainly didn't set out to intimidate anyone except bullies at school!” Tweeted Amanda Craig just yesterday. Didn’t exactly cherish the atmosphere of individuality and help herself did she!?
